According to San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality records, the Mr. Moto Pizza location at 879 West Harbor Drive was ordered closed on Tuesday, November 3, following a routine inspection. In addition to the major vermin violation, inspectors documented minor violations involving food holding temperatures, handwashing facilities, hot and cold water, and employee food handler training. The restaurant was also cited for deficiencies involving premises maintenance, pest exclusion measures, and the condition of floors, walls and ceilings.
The closure is particularly notable given the restaurant's previous inspection history. In October 2025, the Seaport Village location earned a perfect score of 100 and an A grade, with no violations recorded. Its December 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 96 and an A grade.
The latest shutdown follows a remarkably similar incident at Mr. Moto's Point Loma restaurant at 1180 Rosecrans Street, which was ordered closed on May 22, 2026, after inspectors identified a major vermin violation, along with minor food temperature and premises maintenance deficiencies. That restaurant was approved to reopen the following day and subsequently received an A grade with a score of 94 in August.
A review of county inspection records for other Mr. Moto restaurants reveals additional vermin-related findings, although those locations were not ordered closed in connection with the cited inspections. The chain's Little Italy restaurant at 1702 India Street received a minor vermin violation during its April 8, 2026 inspection, earning a score of 90 and an A grade. Its Pacific Beach restaurant at 4653 Mission Boulevard also received minor vermin citations during inspections in 2023 and 2024, but most recently earned a score of 97 and an A grade in April 2026.
Other locations have generally maintained passing grades. The North Park restaurant earned a 97 during its April 2026 inspection, while the Mission Valley location received a 95 in May, despite a major food holding temperature violation that was followed by a reinspection recording no violations.
Founded by Gibran "Mr. Moto" Fernandez in Pacific Beach in 2015, Mr. Moto Pizza became a recognizable San Diego brand through its New York-style pizza, oversized slices and expansion into neighborhoods throughout the county. The chain has since undergone several location closures and changes to its restaurant portfolio, while continuing to operate in prominent destinations including Seaport Village.
County inspection summaries do not specify the type of vermin involved in the latest closure or establish whether the violations at different restaurants are related. A major vermin finding can trigger an immediate shutdown until the restaurant corrects the conditions and receives authorization to reopen.
As of the November 3 inspection record provided to SanDiegoVille, the Seaport Village restaurant had not received a documented reopening approval. Its current operating status and any subsequent corrective action remain to be confirmed.
For more information on restaurant inspections, visit the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality website at sdfoodinfo.org.
Originally published on November 4, 2026.
